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General discussion / Bargain hunting, 2022 style...
« on: August 02, 2022, 10:15:04 AM »
I thought that given a lot of people are having to tighten their belts in terms of what they spend in recent times, it would be worth having a thread to alert fellow members of decent deals available. The main problem with it on this forum is that given it covers all of Ireland, offers that are available across both jurisdictions will likely be few & far between - but feel free to post them anyway as it could be useful to someone.
To start, I've delved into mobile sim-only deals that could be useful to posters here in the north or over in Britain, as well as some info on broadband "social tariffs" that are available to people on certain benefits. Feel free to add anything else...
Notable websites...
* Hot UK Deals - https://www.hotukdeals.com
* Bargain Alerts @ boards.ie - https://www.boards.ie/categories/bargain-alerts?utm_source=sidebar_categories
Also don't forget the likes of Quidco or Top Cash Back which may allow you to receive some money back on internet purchases you make.
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UK Sim-only mobile deals...
* Lebara (uses Vodafone UK network) - All offers are rolling 30-day contract offers that can be cancelled any time. 5G where available, roaming included in EU. 4G & WiFi calling now included, though reports suggest a few teething problems.
* 12GB data a month with unlimited calls & texts, usually £6.90 pm reduced to £1.40 pm for the first six months. Hurry as the offer ends on Thursday (via Hot UK Deals)
https://www.hotukdeals.com/deals/lebara-12gb-5g-ps140-for-6-months-followed-by-ps690-3969890
* Via USwitch they have decent offers that all include unlimited calls & texts - 4GB of data for £4.99 pm reduced to £1.98 for the first three months, 15GB of data for £6.95 pm reduced to £2.78 for the first 3 months & 21GB of data pm for £7.95 reduced to £3.18 for the first 3 months.
(4GB) - https://www.uswitch.com/mobiles/sim-only-deal/2608c26f3711d0db5cfc77fca7b8e13a456a1193/?position=2&list=compare%2Fsim-only-deals&page=compare%2Fsim-only-deals&
(15GB) - https://www.uswitch.com/mobiles/sim-only-deal/8acd3b9e67ba3f24e3a601b4acc2e4eed6fff7ee/?position=4&list=compare%2Fsim-only-deals&page=compare%2Fsim-only-deals&
(21GB) - https://www.uswitch.com/mobiles/sim-only-deal/2df955c9377e43ed4fa6a7d8b88392451bf10f1a/?position=5&list=compare%2Fsim-only-deals&page=compare%2Fsim-only-deals&
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* O2 - 12 month sim-only contracts.
Currently have some good deals via USwitch. All include unlimited calls & texts, EU roaming, 5G where available and 3 months of free Disney+ (except the 4GB allowance which is one month). If you're also a Virgin Media customer, you may also get a VOLT benefit which will double your data allowance.
4GB data - £6 pm (£72 for the year) - https://www.uswitch.com/mobiles/sim-only-deal/f757c551a2a87d25a4e6082239392702206d874a/?position=1&list=compare%2Fsim-only-deals&page=compare%2Fsim-only-deals&
20GB data - £8 pm (£96 for the year) - https://www.uswitch.com/mobiles/sim-only-deal/cebad3c38cece0b36a3e086bdf33c0a510fc14f7/?position=2&list=compare%2Fsim-only-deals&page=compare%2Fsim-only-deals&
25GB data - £9 pm (£108 for the year) - https://www.uswitch.com/mobiles/sim-only-deal/ffc77fb74bc61c2ce556320251d53f6a335f318c/?position=3&list=compare%2Fsim-only-deals&page=compare%2Fsim-only-deals&
40GB data - £10 pm (£120 for the year) - https://www.uswitch.com/mobiles/sim-only-deal/bd5b9d7342c699956dbebe7b48616d3b5cfbd611/?position=4&list=compare%2Fsim-only-deals&page=compare%2Fsim-only-deals&
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* 1p mobile (uses EE network) - PAYG ongoing offer(s). Includes 5G where available, EU roaming included plus 4G & WiFi calling.
* PAYG rates are 1p per minute calls, 1p per SMS & 1p per MB of data.
* Requires £10 top-up every 120 days (£30 for the year).
* You can buy a recurring bundle of unlimited talk & text for £3 pm (no data included).
* Two 12-month bundle sims are offered via website, one for £30 of credit that lasts for 12 months, and another for £36 that gives unlimited calls & texts for 12 months with 250MB of data per month.
May be good for those whom use their mobile a lot for calls & texting while using little to no data. Be aware of the £10 per 120 days top-up rule, as if you don't use your mobile that much in general you could end up building a fairly big PAYG balance over time.
For those who'd be interested in a cheap unlimited calls & texts bundle but whose EE coverage is poor/non-existent but Vodafone is okay, Asda mobile (uses Vodafone UK network) has an unlimited calls & text bundle for £4 pm, though for £1 pm more you can get a 3GB data bundle with it as well.
Website: www.1pmobile.com
(For Asda deal - https://mobile.asda.com/bundles/talk-and-text - sim can be ordered for free online or bought in any Asda supermarket).
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* Smarty mobile (uses 3 UK network) - rolling 30 day contract plans, includes unlimited calls & texts, 5G where available, EU roaming plus 4G & WiFi calling.
* Current offer of 50GB of data for £10 pm for 12 months (will revent back to 30GB after the 12 month period - you can of course cancel any time before this).
* Currently offers unlimited data for £20 per month.
Website - www.smarty.co.uk
... As an alternative that also uses 3 UK's network, ID mobile also offer sim-only deals on 1 month, 12 month & 24 month minimum term deals that not only include unlimited calls & texts, 5G data, EU roaming plus 4G & WiFi calling, but they also allow unused data to be rolled over to be used for the following month. Their deals tend to regularly change, so it's often a good idea to check their website & comparison sites like uSwitch to see what they currently offer.
At the moment on their website...
* At £6 pm - 4GB data (1 month), 5GB data (12 months)
* At £7 pm - 8GB data (1 month)
* At £8 pm - 12GB data (1 month), 16GB data (12 months)
* At £12 pm - 60GB data (12 months)
* At £18 pm - unlimited data (12 months reduced to £9 pm for the first 3 months)
...while via uSwitch, all 1 month rolling contracts...
* £6 pm - 5GB data
* £7 pm - 12GB data
* £8 pm - 20GB data
* £9 pm - 27GB data
* £10 pm - 40GB data
* £12 pm - 100GB data
* £16 pm - unlimited data
Website for ID's own sim-only deals - https://www.idmobile.co.uk/sim-only-deals
For uSwitch deals, click on ID mobile logo on Network options in the left column.
https://www.uswitch.com/mobiles/compare/sim_only_deals/
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Social tariffs
If yourself or someone you know is currently on an income-related benefit e.g. JSA, UC, ESA, pension credit etc. then you or they may qualify for a temporary "social tariff" on mobile or landline that gives you reduced rates for a period of time that may be extended depending on circumstances.
* Voxi mobile (uses Vodafone UK network) - Has a "Voxi for now" plan for eligible customers that gives unlimited calls, texts & data for £10 pm for six months (normally this costs £35 pm) - after six months you'll be switched over to their standard £10 a month plan. Rolling 30 day contract.
Website - https://help.voxi.co.uk/Joining-and-Set-up/Joining/1573624692/What-is-VOXI-For-Now.htm
* BT Essentials - gives two different broadband & landline calls packages to eligible customers. If eligible you can remain on the respective social tariff for 12 months (even if you become employed again and you'd usually no longer be eligible otherwise) - after 12 months if you are still an eligible customer, you can remain on the tariff for another 12 months. There are no early exit fees. This replaces the BT Basic offer that was previously available to similarly eligible customers.
Current BT essential plans...
* £10 - Unlimited calls to landlines & mobiles only (no broadband)
* £15 pm - Up to 36Mb broadband download speed & 700 mins calls to landlines & mobiles.
* £20 pm - Up to 74Mb broadband download speed & unlimited calls to landlines & mobiles.
The latter two offers also charge £9.99 P&P for the BT Home Hub router that will be posted to you.
Website - https://www.bt.com/broadband/home-essentials
* Virgin Media broadband - if you live in an area which VM serves you, they have a similar essential broadband tariff for those on Universal Credit. £15 pm on a 30 day rolling contract, no setup fees, download speeds of 15Mb & upload speeds of 2Mb (average).
Website - https://www.virginmedia.com/broadband/low-income-families
To start, I've delved into mobile sim-only deals that could be useful to posters here in the north or over in Britain, as well as some info on broadband "social tariffs" that are available to people on certain benefits. Feel free to add anything else...
Notable websites...
* Hot UK Deals - https://www.hotukdeals.com
* Bargain Alerts @ boards.ie - https://www.boards.ie/categories/bargain-alerts?utm_source=sidebar_categories
Also don't forget the likes of Quidco or Top Cash Back which may allow you to receive some money back on internet purchases you make.
------
UK Sim-only mobile deals...
* Lebara (uses Vodafone UK network) - All offers are rolling 30-day contract offers that can be cancelled any time. 5G where available, roaming included in EU. 4G & WiFi calling now included, though reports suggest a few teething problems.
* 12GB data a month with unlimited calls & texts, usually £6.90 pm reduced to £1.40 pm for the first six months. Hurry as the offer ends on Thursday (via Hot UK Deals)
https://www.hotukdeals.com/deals/lebara-12gb-5g-ps140-for-6-months-followed-by-ps690-3969890
* Via USwitch they have decent offers that all include unlimited calls & texts - 4GB of data for £4.99 pm reduced to £1.98 for the first three months, 15GB of data for £6.95 pm reduced to £2.78 for the first 3 months & 21GB of data pm for £7.95 reduced to £3.18 for the first 3 months.
(4GB) - https://www.uswitch.com/mobiles/sim-only-deal/2608c26f3711d0db5cfc77fca7b8e13a456a1193/?position=2&list=compare%2Fsim-only-deals&page=compare%2Fsim-only-deals&
(15GB) - https://www.uswitch.com/mobiles/sim-only-deal/8acd3b9e67ba3f24e3a601b4acc2e4eed6fff7ee/?position=4&list=compare%2Fsim-only-deals&page=compare%2Fsim-only-deals&
(21GB) - https://www.uswitch.com/mobiles/sim-only-deal/2df955c9377e43ed4fa6a7d8b88392451bf10f1a/?position=5&list=compare%2Fsim-only-deals&page=compare%2Fsim-only-deals&
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* O2 - 12 month sim-only contracts.
Currently have some good deals via USwitch. All include unlimited calls & texts, EU roaming, 5G where available and 3 months of free Disney+ (except the 4GB allowance which is one month). If you're also a Virgin Media customer, you may also get a VOLT benefit which will double your data allowance.
4GB data - £6 pm (£72 for the year) - https://www.uswitch.com/mobiles/sim-only-deal/f757c551a2a87d25a4e6082239392702206d874a/?position=1&list=compare%2Fsim-only-deals&page=compare%2Fsim-only-deals&
20GB data - £8 pm (£96 for the year) - https://www.uswitch.com/mobiles/sim-only-deal/cebad3c38cece0b36a3e086bdf33c0a510fc14f7/?position=2&list=compare%2Fsim-only-deals&page=compare%2Fsim-only-deals&
25GB data - £9 pm (£108 for the year) - https://www.uswitch.com/mobiles/sim-only-deal/ffc77fb74bc61c2ce556320251d53f6a335f318c/?position=3&list=compare%2Fsim-only-deals&page=compare%2Fsim-only-deals&
40GB data - £10 pm (£120 for the year) - https://www.uswitch.com/mobiles/sim-only-deal/bd5b9d7342c699956dbebe7b48616d3b5cfbd611/?position=4&list=compare%2Fsim-only-deals&page=compare%2Fsim-only-deals&
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* 1p mobile (uses EE network) - PAYG ongoing offer(s). Includes 5G where available, EU roaming included plus 4G & WiFi calling.
* PAYG rates are 1p per minute calls, 1p per SMS & 1p per MB of data.
* Requires £10 top-up every 120 days (£30 for the year).
* You can buy a recurring bundle of unlimited talk & text for £3 pm (no data included).
* Two 12-month bundle sims are offered via website, one for £30 of credit that lasts for 12 months, and another for £36 that gives unlimited calls & texts for 12 months with 250MB of data per month.
May be good for those whom use their mobile a lot for calls & texting while using little to no data. Be aware of the £10 per 120 days top-up rule, as if you don't use your mobile that much in general you could end up building a fairly big PAYG balance over time.
For those who'd be interested in a cheap unlimited calls & texts bundle but whose EE coverage is poor/non-existent but Vodafone is okay, Asda mobile (uses Vodafone UK network) has an unlimited calls & text bundle for £4 pm, though for £1 pm more you can get a 3GB data bundle with it as well.
Website: www.1pmobile.com
(For Asda deal - https://mobile.asda.com/bundles/talk-and-text - sim can be ordered for free online or bought in any Asda supermarket).
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* Smarty mobile (uses 3 UK network) - rolling 30 day contract plans, includes unlimited calls & texts, 5G where available, EU roaming plus 4G & WiFi calling.
* Current offer of 50GB of data for £10 pm for 12 months (will revent back to 30GB after the 12 month period - you can of course cancel any time before this).
* Currently offers unlimited data for £20 per month.
Website - www.smarty.co.uk
... As an alternative that also uses 3 UK's network, ID mobile also offer sim-only deals on 1 month, 12 month & 24 month minimum term deals that not only include unlimited calls & texts, 5G data, EU roaming plus 4G & WiFi calling, but they also allow unused data to be rolled over to be used for the following month. Their deals tend to regularly change, so it's often a good idea to check their website & comparison sites like uSwitch to see what they currently offer.
At the moment on their website...
* At £6 pm - 4GB data (1 month), 5GB data (12 months)
* At £7 pm - 8GB data (1 month)
* At £8 pm - 12GB data (1 month), 16GB data (12 months)
* At £12 pm - 60GB data (12 months)
* At £18 pm - unlimited data (12 months reduced to £9 pm for the first 3 months)
...while via uSwitch, all 1 month rolling contracts...
* £6 pm - 5GB data
* £7 pm - 12GB data
* £8 pm - 20GB data
* £9 pm - 27GB data
* £10 pm - 40GB data
* £12 pm - 100GB data
* £16 pm - unlimited data
Website for ID's own sim-only deals - https://www.idmobile.co.uk/sim-only-deals
For uSwitch deals, click on ID mobile logo on Network options in the left column.
https://www.uswitch.com/mobiles/compare/sim_only_deals/
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Social tariffs
If yourself or someone you know is currently on an income-related benefit e.g. JSA, UC, ESA, pension credit etc. then you or they may qualify for a temporary "social tariff" on mobile or landline that gives you reduced rates for a period of time that may be extended depending on circumstances.
* Voxi mobile (uses Vodafone UK network) - Has a "Voxi for now" plan for eligible customers that gives unlimited calls, texts & data for £10 pm for six months (normally this costs £35 pm) - after six months you'll be switched over to their standard £10 a month plan. Rolling 30 day contract.
Website - https://help.voxi.co.uk/Joining-and-Set-up/Joining/1573624692/What-is-VOXI-For-Now.htm
* BT Essentials - gives two different broadband & landline calls packages to eligible customers. If eligible you can remain on the respective social tariff for 12 months (even if you become employed again and you'd usually no longer be eligible otherwise) - after 12 months if you are still an eligible customer, you can remain on the tariff for another 12 months. There are no early exit fees. This replaces the BT Basic offer that was previously available to similarly eligible customers.
Current BT essential plans...
* £10 - Unlimited calls to landlines & mobiles only (no broadband)
* £15 pm - Up to 36Mb broadband download speed & 700 mins calls to landlines & mobiles.
* £20 pm - Up to 74Mb broadband download speed & unlimited calls to landlines & mobiles.
The latter two offers also charge £9.99 P&P for the BT Home Hub router that will be posted to you.
Website - https://www.bt.com/broadband/home-essentials
* Virgin Media broadband - if you live in an area which VM serves you, they have a similar essential broadband tariff for those on Universal Credit. £15 pm on a 30 day rolling contract, no setup fees, download speeds of 15Mb & upload speeds of 2Mb (average).
Website - https://www.virginmedia.com/broadband/low-income-families